‘Shrek the Musical’ comes to the Victoria

When a friend originally suggested he try out for the road company of “Shrek The Musical,” the Wright State graduate headed for the open auditions in New York. After competing against hundreds of other acting hopefuls, he landed the leading role of Donkey.

Gaston, who initially appeared in the international version of the family musical, is now touring America with the cast that comes to the Victoria Theatre Jan. 15-27 . The show, which opened on Broadway in 2008 with 19 all-new musical numbers, is based on the 2001 Oscar-winning Dream Works film.

The wise-cracking Donkey — portrayed by Eddie Murphy in the film — plays sidekick to the main character, a swamp-dwelling ogre who determines to rescue a feisty princess. Along the way, the pair has to deal with the villainous Lord Farquaad and a fearsome dragon.